fontana dam to mollies ridge - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | fontana dam to mollies ridge |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Nearby Town: | fontana |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | From I-40 west take the exit for Hwy 74 which is also known as the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway. Stay on Hwy 74 until you will pass Clyde, Sylva, and approximately 8 miles past Bryson City turn right on Hwy 28. Continue on Hwy 28 for 25 miles. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 11.10 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Permit Required: | Yes |
| Hike Type: | One-Way, Shuttle Hike |
| Hike Starts: | fontana dam shelter |
| Hike Ends: | mollies ridge shelter |
| Trails Used: | appalachian trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Springs |
| Management: | National Park Service |
| Contact Information: | 107 Park Headquarters Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 436-1200 |
| Best Season: | Spring |
| Users: | Hikers |
| Road Conditions: | Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | To hike through the Smoky Mountain National Park section of the AT you need to register online pay the appropriate fee, register for the shelters you plan to stay at unless you are a through hiker, and print out a copy of your permit to carry with you. This section of the trail starts out at the fontana dam shelter it basically follows the shoreline and road then crosses the dam and follows the road to the right where you enter the woods of the Smoky Mountain National Park. There is a box at this point where you need to drop off part of your permit. Now the trail begins to climb winding up and around the shuckstack mountain. There are several great views of the dam once you get up a little ways. The first campsites are at Birch spring Gap located at mile marker 169.6, then it is another 5.4 miles on to the mollies ridge shelter at mile marker 175.0. The shelter at mollies ridge is made of rock and has a nice fireplace which is great for getting warm on cold nights especially if someone puts a tarp up across the front of the shelter to block out the wind. The shelter sleeps six people across each level for a total of 12 and has a covered area for you to prepare your food. |
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